Military Standards
Position of Attention Practice Tips

Practice TipsPosition of Attention

Practical exercises and techniques to master the fundamental military stance.

Essential Practice Areas

Focus on these key areas to improve your Position of Attention

Daily Practice Routine

  • Practice for 5-10 minutes each morning
  • Hold position for increasing durations
  • Start with 30 seconds, build to 5+ minutes
  • Practice in front of a mirror for self-correction
  • Focus on one body part at a time initially

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Don't lock knees - keep legs straight but not rigid
  • Avoid tilting head up or down
  • Don't clench fists or stiffen fingers
  • Prevent swaying by proper weight distribution
  • Don't hold breath - breathe naturally

Improvement Techniques

  • Use wall exercises to check posture alignment
  • Practice heel-to-toe walking for balance
  • Strengthen core muscles for better stability
  • Work on flexibility to maintain comfort
  • Record yourself to identify areas for improvement

Practice Exercises

Structured exercises to improve your Position of Attention

Wall Alignment Check

2-3 minutes

Stand against a wall to check proper spine alignment and head position

Steps:

  1. 1
    Stand with back against wall
  2. 2
    Check that head, shoulders, and buttocks touch wall
  3. 3
    Maintain natural spine curves
  4. 4
    Step away and hold position

Balance Training

5 minutes

Improve stability and weight distribution

Steps:

  1. 1
    Practice standing on one foot
  2. 2
    Close eyes while maintaining position
  3. 3
    Use heel-to-toe walking
  4. 4
    Practice on different surfaces

Endurance Building

10-15 minutes

Gradually increase time in position

Steps:

  1. 1
    Start with 30-second holds
  2. 2
    Increase by 15 seconds weekly
  3. 3
    Focus on relaxed breathing
  4. 4
    Build up to 5+ minute holds

Mirror Practice

5-10 minutes

Visual feedback for self-correction

Steps:

  1. 1
    Practice in front of full-length mirror
  2. 2
    Check foot angle and spacing
  3. 3
    Verify hand and arm position
  4. 4
    Observe overall bearing and alertness

Quick Practice Tips

Simple reminders to keep in mind during practice

Mental Reminders

Keep these tips in mind during your practice sessions

Imagine a string pulling you up from the top of your head

Think 'tall and proud' rather than 'stiff and rigid'

Breathe naturally - don't hold your breath

Keep your weight slightly forward on the balls of your feet

Practice the position during TV commercials

Use a timer to track your progress

Focus on one correction at a time

Stay hydrated during practice sessions

Track Your Progress

Monitor your improvement with these milestones

Progress Milestones

Week 1

Hold position for 1 minute without major adjustments

Week 2

Maintain proper foot angle and hand position consistently

Week 3

Hold position for 3 minutes with natural breathing

Week 4

Demonstrate position with confidence and military bearing

Week 5+

Maintain position for 5+ minutes during formations

Start Practicing Today

Apply these tips and exercises to master the Position of Attention